Okay, yeah, I know. We already have an RE4 topic. However, that topic isn't a review...this one is.
If you're familiar with RE4, you'll know that there are two versions on the market...the Gamecube and PS2 versions. Now, I won't be comparing these two versions, but I will mention a couple of differences.
PS2 version: No real-time lighting, weakened particle effects, lower enemy count, reduced geographical architecture, extra game mode, new gun, new costumes.
And for those of you who aren't familiar with these terms, I'll put it in more understandable lingo: the Gamecube version looks a TON better and has more enemies coming at you at once, whereas the PS2 version has a lot of graphics cut (even tree branches and water) but extra goodies. So for those of you who want more to do, go PS2. If you're like me and want the extra graphical punch, go for the Gamecube (oh, controls on the Gamecube are also better, being that it was designed for GC in the first place).
Onto the review.
Story - 9/10: Six years have passed since the events of Resident Evil 2 (and 3, for what it's worth). The US Government has investigated the corporation Umbrella after learning of their B.O.W. (Biological Organic Weapon) experiments in Racoon City (which ultimately led to the town being nuked). The Government placed a hold on all of Umbrella's activities, bringing the company (for all purposes) down. So, to sum that up, the US started to investigate Umbrella and shut them down. Leon S. Kennedy (the rookie cop you play as in RE2) has been training with an undisclosed US Government agency over the years, and has been assigned to protect the President's family. However, a few days before he starts his duties, the President's daughter is kidnapped by an unknown force. Ashley Graham (the President's daughter) is spotted in a town in Europe for a short time, but then disappears from contact. Needless to say, it's up to Leon to go and investigate.
Leon grabs his gear and heads off to this town in Europe, which is most probably in Spain (considering everyone speaks Spanish). When he arrives, he is immediately joined by two local police officers who drive him to his destination. Upon their arrival, Leon steps out of the car to explore a small house up ahead, while the cops stay with the car. Inside, Leon finds an older man, tending to a fire. He shows the man a picture of Ashley, asking if the man has seen her, but is met only by angered words (which you can't understand because they're in Spanish, although they literally mean "What the f*** are you doing in here!? Get out of my house you bast***!"). Leon takes the hint and starts to leave...but nearly gets decapitated as the man swings an axe at him. After ordering the man to stand down, Leon shoots him...although it takes several rounds to the head. Almost like a zombie, eh?
Of course, that's one of the first comments. "He's not a zombie..." You won't have much time to ponder over this before you hear things going on outside (such as the accompanying cops getting owned). SO...Leon is on his own, and has to make his way inside the village.
Without spoiling anything, it's any man's guess that something is wrong with these villagers. They can act as a group and coordinate attacks, but they still move and act as if they were mindless. After his ride is destroyed, Leon has no choice but to proceed into the village...
Gameplay - 9/10: A shining star for Resident Evil. The traditional 'tank' controls have taken a backseat to a new, more innovative gameplay structure. Rather than moving through pre-rendered environments with fixed camera angles and the ability to just shoot in the general direction of an enemy, this game takes it up a notch. The environment is completely 3D with no pre-rendering (making it fell MUCH more...alive). A new camera and aiming system have also been implemented. The camera hovers over Leon's right shoulder, and aiming is now controlled by the player (via a nice little laser site attached to each weapon). Players also have 'context-sensitive' attacks. Shoot a guy in the head. When he doubles over, run up and press A. Viola, Leon just performed a round-house kick! This gives the game a much needed gameplay update and makes the characters seem like they give a crap about their survival (I mean, come on. In the old RE games you back away slowly and take time to turn when a hungry zombie is lurching towards you. Leon promptly kicks them in the face).
I have no gripes with this new system. It's technically the same controls as the old RE games, but the new camera makes it MUCH less clunky. The melee combat system also makes for some action-packed battle sequences.
On a side note, holding in the 'L' button draws your knife. This is a major advantage, as the knife now takes no inventory space and is always with you for a handy backup.
Sound - 9/10: HOORAY! A RESIDENT EVIL WITH GOOD VOICE OVERS! *ahem* RE4 features competent voice actors who actually DON'T SUCK. Each characters voice fits them well and the dialogue flows pretty smoothly. This is a MAJOR plus from previous RE games (Don't OPen that DOor!) and really adds to the overall feel of things. The only qualm I have with the voice acting is the corny one-liners which Leon is forced to say throughout the game. They don't really damage the mood or feeling, but they definately can give you a red face (prime example: "Rain or shine, you're going DOWN!").
Guns. I like guns. They're my friends. You know what I like more? When a gun sounds like a gun. Thankfully, RE4 gets this right. The starting handgun has a satisfying sound as it's fired, which instantly caught my attention. The shotguns sound beefy. Explosives make a satisfying *KABOOM*, and the TMP is just what you'd expect from a sub-machine gun. No complaints on gun noises.
The music in this game is really good. It fits the mood of it's surroundings and doesn't constantly annoy you. Music only plays in larger action sequences, during boss fights, or just to set a creepy mood, all of which it does well. Enemies also sound good. The ganados will yell at you in Spanish, and some will chant (Muerde, muerde, muerde...which means 'Die, Die, Die'). Non-human creatures each have their own unique sounds, some of which can send chills through you (Regenerators, anyone?). Kudos to Capcom for good music and sounds.
Graphics - 9/10: Dang. That's all I can say. This game has possibly the best looking character models I've seen recently. They may *techincally* NOT be, but they sure look it (I like them a ton better than those on games like HL2, which are technically far superior graphically). Leon sports an extremely high poly-count, complete with swaying ammo belts and hair. Facial expressions are very fluent and fit perfectly. I could have used a bit more variation on the ganados, but I'm not complaining. As far as character models go, however, there is one particular character that stands above the rest: Ada Wong. The good people at Capcom went above and beyond on her character model. She sports a highly fashionable (if not completely practical) red dress that flows to her ankles. Now reread that last sentence. Catch it yet? IT FLOWS. The dress sways perfectly with her actions (as well as her hair) and reacts to other objects (well, generally...I've noticed it clip through her legs a few times, but it's not majorly noticable). Leon's character is equally detailed, although his clothing don't allow you to really appriciate it as much (besides, who would you rather stare at?).
Moving on to the environmental graphics. As I stated earlier, RE4 is rendered in real-time 3D...no more pre-rendered environments. Now, I'll explain what that means. In previous RE games, the environment did not interact with you. You could identify useable items by their contrast to the environment (see RE3 review for more info on that) and the areas were generally narrow, linear passageways. In RE4, you can now explore larger areas (although you're still fairly boxed in) and interact with environmental objects. You can kick doors in, blow them from their hinges, etc. You can move cabinets in front of doors and windows to block them. You can step in bear traps, blow dynamite that has been strung between trees, and even walk through portions of water (something not often in old RE games). The environment itself sports fairly high-resolution textures and FEELS like it should.
Replayability - 9/10: Wow. I can't believe that I have honestly played through this game over 15 times...and it's still not boring. The story keeps you going throughout the entire game, wanting more. The combat never gets old, no matter how repetitive it may be. Item management is no longer a chore, as you carry everything with you in a briefcase (although you have to manage your space and buy larger cases along the way). And best of all...NO MORE ANNOYING BACKTRACKING. You'll revisit areas occasionally, but it's very seldom and only to access new areas.
Also, beating the game unlocks both the 'Mercenaries' and 'Assignment Ada' minigames, both of which are very fun and keep you entertained (AA is like a very short addition to the single player game, something which 'Seperate Ways' in the PS2 version further elaborated on in a more plot-coherent way). Mercenaries keeps it's old formula: Blow the crap out of hordes of enemies until your evac chopper arrives. Given the new combat system, this has never been more fun. You'll have access to five characters total (although you have to unlock them), each with different moves and combat styles. As an extra perk, getting a 5-star rating with every character on every mission gains you access to the 'handcannon', a massive .50 calibur magnum with (when fully upgraded) infinite ammo. Oh yeah.
Chronologically, this is the latest game in the series and takes place in 2004. Everything about this game catered to my gaming experience, which is what gaming should be about.
Snake's Overall Rating: 9.7/10
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"If you believe in yo'self, eat your school, stay in milk, drink your teeth, don't do sleep, and get eight hours of drugs, you can get work!"
Wow. I can't believe that I have honestly played through this game over 15 times...and it's still not boring. The story keeps you going throughout the entire game, wanting more. The combat never gets old, no matter how repetitive it may be. Item management is no longer a chore, as you carry everything with you in a briefcase (although you have to manage your space and buy larger cases along the way). And best of all...NO MORE ANNOYING BACKTRACKING.
You know, I think that's the beauty of the game. I, myself am still not bored of RE4 (although I can't seem to do the Mercenaries game very well....I'll try that later, now that I think of it).
This installment is definetely where Capcom gave the series a more action-oriented approach, and it seems to be doing well. Heck, even black people like this game. (Not to sound racist, but they usually don't play anything outside NBA Shootout and Half Life.)
I'd also like to stress the point that the PS2, although a bit less graphically inclned, does offer the rest of the story (example: Ada was the one who rang the bell at the beginning of the game.).
I learned more Spanish from Resident Evil 4 than I did in Ms. Harrison's Spanish class! Te voy a matar, cabron!
yeah i recently got the ps2 version of the game, but i haven't had time to play since school's started so i need to play it so basically i got slightly screwed out of the graphics end of the deal, but i get some extra stuff that's fine by me
as i've said to mitch, graphics can enhance a game, but a game can still be fun with out great graphics
i so need to play it this is the only thing i hate about college, i have some really cool games, but not enough time to play them but for me if it enhances the story a little more like in the aa mode then it's all good for me because i'm more concerned with a games story than it's graphical prowness
now i just need to sit down and play REmake and re0 and then everything'll be good
kannibalkaney
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You don't love a woman because she is beautiful, she is beautiful because you love her. ~Author Unknown
yeah well i own REmake and re0 and i haven't had the time to play them because of school work see this is why i tell you all that are in high school to enjoy it while it lasts
kannibalkaney
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You don't love a woman because she is beautiful, she is beautiful because you love her. ~Author Unknown
...Ya know, those things that can ruin the game (although I doubt this will really ruin anything for you)
Look! A beaver!
Okay, so last night I decided to play Resident Evil 4 through on Professional mode, and I beat it earlier today. Here's what I found.
Pro mode isn't very different from normal. It takes quite a few more shots to down an enemy (although head shots are still effective, and can cripple your enemy). It seems that chickens are more productive...I had seven eggs in the first five maps (the most I've ever got from there on normal is three). Amazingly enough, in the initial village raid I had no trouble...and I only used the starting handgun and a few Incendiary Grenades. Also, the starting enemies can kill you in two hits (with a weapon, I didn't let them choke me so I don't know about that. I'm also assuming that it's two hits...one hit took half of my health, so I'd always heal after one hit.)
In all honestly, if you watch your health consistently and keep your guns loaded, it's not too bad at all. I made SEVERAL stupid mistakes that could have been easily avoided (such as shooting Ashley almost 15 times because she didn't duck). I also went about it too relaxed, which attributed to several enemies ganging up on me and dwindling my health away. All in all, my death count was 32, but only 12 of those were actual 'legitimate' deaths (the others being attributed to Ashley getting shot or screwing up in a quick-reflex cut-scene).
I never once ran out of ammo. At the end of the game I had the following: a Striker shotgun (fully upgraded) with 100 shells in it (max), along with 8 additional shells; the starting Handgun (fully upgraded makes it 5x more likely to get a headshot, something thats extremely useful) with 25 in the clip (max) and a single box of 50 rounds; Broken Butterfly magnum (fully upgraded) with 12 rounds in it (max) and an additional 23 rounds; Semi-Auto Rifle (fully upgraded) with scope and 24 in the clip (max), along with 13 additional shots.
As you can see, ammo was no problem, and I came out with more magnum ammo than I figured. My accuracy rating was around 86% (good, but I expect more from myself).
Healing items were no problem. At the end of the game I had one First Aid Spray left, but I would heal after every hit in the Saddler battle, so under normal circumstances you would have considerably more (I started the battle with almost 10 full heal items, so I got hit about 9 times).
NOTE: Saddler is NOT all that much harder. He just takes more hits and deals a bit more damage, so don't worry about him.
The hardest part for me was trying to get the King's Grail. The Armaduras take two hits to the head (with an un-upgraded Riot Gun, that is), and the parasites have plenty of time to take you down. Seven of my twelve 'legitimate' deaths are attributed to these.
NOTE: If you can blow the helmets off of all three, use a Flash Bang Grendade...it kills the parasites instantly.
The other five deaths are attributed to Krauser (the actual battle). He deals a lot of damage with each hit, and I was playing at 3 AM...so my reflexes to dodge weren't up to par. Not too bad, though.
The other bosses were all relatively simple, though, no deaths attributed by them (these include El Gigante, Del Lago, Bella Sisters (mini-boss), Bittores Mendez, Garrador (mini-boss), Verdugo (Right Hand - I killed him, didn't just wait for the elevator), Salazar (little prick), all Regenerators and Iron Maidens (spiked Regenerators), Dual El Gigantes, Saddler, and any others I forgot).
My second playthrough on Pro has been far less eventful, with only one 'death' (Ashley just doesn't know when to move) and I'm at Chapter 3-2.
Also, on another note, if you manage your money carefully, you can have every weapon upgraded by the end of the game. All of my weapons were fully upgraded at the last boss, including each exclusive.
Sadly, there's no extra goodies for beating it on Pro...just the satisfaction of beating it, I guess (which was less than exciting with that hefty 32 deaths to accompany it, the most I've ever gotten on normal was 3).
Also, as far as the 'graphics' thing goes between the Gamecube and PS2...I got used to the game on GC, so that's the kind of graphics I'm accustomed to. Seeing it with reduced visuals would actually detract from the experience for me (if it had been made the same way on GC and I had got used to it, the difference wouldn't be a problem). I know graphics don't make the game, but they DEFINATELY help the mood and feel of a game like RE4.
Here's hoping that the PC version will have the GC graphics and the PS2 goodies.
-- Edited by Snake at 22:08, 2006-02-18
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"If you believe in yo'self, eat your school, stay in milk, drink your teeth, don't do sleep, and get eight hours of drugs, you can get work!"
But refresh my memory.....what were the Bella Sisters again? (If they're those chainsaw wielding women on the left path, nevermind, cause I skip them.)
Oh, and what was the Garrador? Was it that U3, thing? I forget.
The Bella Sisters ARE the chainsaw wielding women. I always do both paths, they each have part of a combinable treasure (and you get a crapload of cash).
The Garrador is the Wolverine wanna-be.
And I forgot to mention U3. U3 is more commonly known as 'It', and is the thing you fight on those platforms that fall after 30 seconds.
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"If you believe in yo'self, eat your school, stay in milk, drink your teeth, don't do sleep, and get eight hours of drugs, you can get work!"
There's really no information on 5 yet, other than the the fact that it takes place in a desert region. Also, the main character, although not confirmed, is probably Chris Redfield from the original and Code Veronica. The team that worked on the original is working on 5, and they said it's a character that they're fond of...so I'm guessing it's Chris.
The enemies are also unconfirmed at the moment. It is uncertain whether zombies will make a return, whether it will be the Ganados from 4, or a hybrid of the two.
It'll control like 4 for the most part, and is coming out for Xbox360 and PlayStation 3.
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"If you believe in yo'self, eat your school, stay in milk, drink your teeth, don't do sleep, and get eight hours of drugs, you can get work!"
you know i would like to see what ever happened with jill and that carlos guy too you know, i mean after three you don't hear much about barry, jill, rebecca, and so forth so i wonder what's been going on with their characters
kannibalkaney
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You don't love a woman because she is beautiful, she is beautiful because you love her. ~Author Unknown
In all honesty, I don't think Carlos will be making a return in the series. In the 'Epilogue' files you unlock after beating RE3, you find that Jill has went to Europe in search of Chris, as well as Barry. It also foreshadows Leon's involvement with the US Government and shows that Ada is still alive.
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"If you believe in yo'self, eat your school, stay in milk, drink your teeth, don't do sleep, and get eight hours of drugs, you can get work!"
yep, but i'm just curious about like rebecca and billy coen, and carlos too because after Resident Evil or the REmake and Re0 you don't really see much of becky. Carlos, I could just see him going his seperate way and just trying to forget about Umbrella, but Billy, you know that him and becky almost had some little romance going on there
kannibalkaney
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You don't love a woman because she is beautiful, she is beautiful because you love her. ~Author Unknown
I think Billy has potential, but I'm not sure if they're gonna bring him back in. In RE2 at some point (I THINK it's RE2), you find a file by Rebecca that says that a man named Billy Koen was found dead during the investigation. However, it's the same man (his name being changed to Coen), and she filed that report so that noone would go looking for him. If he does return, he'll most likely just be an extra.
Rebecca will probably return as an extra character at some point, but I don't really see her as being too vital to the story. In fact, I'm a little iffy about what will happen for any of the characters...their purpose was to bring Umbrella down, and guess what: It's down in 4. Leon and Ada obviously have purposes in this new storyline (as well as Chris, since he and Wesker still have a score to settle), but none of the others really have anything to go with yet. Oh well, we'll just have to wait it out.
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"If you believe in yo'self, eat your school, stay in milk, drink your teeth, don't do sleep, and get eight hours of drugs, you can get work!"
Ahh, but Ada has her own agenda. In Seperate Ways, you learn that she didn't send Wesker the real Plagas sample. So, if Wesker is bringing Umbrella back soon, he won't be able to do it with the Plagas.
From Ada's Report:
It wasn't easy, but I'd say the mission has been a success. Getting my hands on the sample was my initial objective after all. But I've sent Wesker a different present, just as the organization ordered. Pretending to work with him was entertaining.
-- Edited by Snake at 20:07, 2006-02-20
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"If you believe in yo'self, eat your school, stay in milk, drink your teeth, don't do sleep, and get eight hours of drugs, you can get work!"
yeah i wouldn't mind seeing them for a return trip in the future. the only thing i could think of that could fully involve umbrella is if they went back to 1998 or 1999 and did the game from that perspective because you know that chris, claire, and jill are suposedly going to europe to the umbrella hq, and maybe they could do something with that actual collapse of the company
unless they went into the future as in re4's case as the fall of 2004, but they could do that aftermath of re4, but they could involve leon and some of the other characters from the series, i mean poor barry hasn't been seen in action for a while
kannibalkaney
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You don't love a woman because she is beautiful, she is beautiful because you love her. ~Author Unknown
Do you mean FPS Resident Evils? I would hope they wouldn't go there again. I think they've learned their lesson from RE Survivor and RE Dead Aim (which I did play, btw.)
yeah, i haven't played those yet, but they sound crappy from everything i heard, for me when it comes to fps's the halo series is about all i care for. all in all i'm more of an rpg person
kannibalkaney
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You don't love a woman because she is beautiful, she is beautiful because you love her. ~Author Unknown
so basically i got slightly screwed out of the graphics end of the deal, but i get some extra stuff that's fine by me 
this is the only thing i hate about college, i have some really cool games, but not enough time to play them 
You don't love a woman because she is beautiful, she is beautiful because you love her. ~Author Unknown
